Data Scientists and the Non-Profits Who Love Them

As a group that matches data scientists with non-profits who can't afford them, the team here at DataKind can't think of anything more wonderful than running across non-profits who have seen the light and hired data scientists full-time. This month we're going to hear from two data scientists who have been pulled over to the light side: Vlad Dubovskiy from http://DonorsChoose.org and Eric Ren from charity: water (http://www.charitywater.org/). Vlad and Eric are both tasked with handling the daily data wrangling needed to give Donors Choose and charity :water the insights they need to fulfill their missions.

Whether you're an industry data scientist who wants to see how the other half lives, a non-profit who wants to learn about how other non-profits are using data scientists, or just a generally interested data do-gooder, come join us!

SPEAKERS:

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Vlad Dubovskiy is a Data Scientist at DonorsChoose.org. Aside from getting insights that inform decisions, he likes user experience design, data mining, lean startups, nature and backpacking. Before joining DonorsChoose.org he was a co-founder and product designer at Unreasonable Institute, Greenlighted and Startup Festival. Vlad graduated with BS in Applied Mathematics and MS in Engineering Management. In Vlad's words, "dysfunctional companies, cities and societies make decisions based on axiomatic beliefs. Data-driven ones answer tough questions through analysis. I like to work with datasets to change our mindsets." Two things you'll hear Vlad say: "a day without statistics is like a day without sunshine" and "boldness changes everything."

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Eric Ren is the Strategy and Growth Manager at charity: water. Eric moved to NYC after spending a third of his life each in Beijing, Seattle, and Los Angeles. He studied economics and psychology at Claremont McKenna College, and previously worked at Bain & Co., where he focused on strategy and operations at tech, media, and entertainment companies. Eric spends his days applying a data-driven approach to help drive growth at charity: water.